U.S. patent application number 13/505567 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-06 for optical element, screen, and display device.
Invention is credited to Kuniko Kojima, Jun Kondo, Muneharu Kuwata, Yuzo Nakano, Satoru Okagaki, Tomohiro Sasagawa, Eiji Yokoyama.
Application Number | 20120224109 13/505567 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44145337 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120224109 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Okagaki; Satoru ; et
al. |
September 6, 2012 |
OPTICAL ELEMENT, SCREEN, AND DISPLAY DEVICE
Abstract
A screen includes a light diffusion layer in which
microcapsules, each having therein a light diffusion liquid that
scatters light for displaying a video image, are planarly arranged.
The light diffusion layer is fixed to a supporting sheet by a
binder material. On a surface of the supporting sheet, a Fresnel
lens is formed. A light diffusion plate is made up of the light
diffusion layer and the supporting sheet. The screen is made up of
the light diffusion plate and a light diffusion plate. Scattering
distribution of a scattered wave of light that passes through the
light diffusion layer temporally changes.
Inventors: |
Okagaki; Satoru; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Yokoyama; Eiji; (Tokyo, JP) ; Sasagawa;
Tomohiro; (Tokyo, JP) ; Kondo; Jun; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Kuwata; Muneharu; (Tokyo, JP) ; Kojima;
Kuniko; (Tokyo, JP) ; Nakano; Yuzo; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Family ID: |
44145337 |
Appl. No.: |
13/505567 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
December 8, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2010/007147 |
371 Date: |
May 2, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/744 ;
348/E5.137 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03B 21/608 20130101;
G03B 21/10 20130101; G02B 5/0278 20130101; G03B 21/60 20130101;
G03B 21/625 20130101; G02B 5/0242 20130101; G02B 27/48 20130101;
G02F 1/133504 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/744 ;
348/E05.137 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/74 20060101
H04N005/74 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 11, 2009 |
JP |
2009-281693 |
Jan 15, 2010 |
JP |
2010-006951 |
Apr 23, 2010 |
JP |
2010-099825 |
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. An optical element comprising a light diffusion layer including
cells planarly arranged, said cells each having therein a light
diffusion liquid that scatters laser light for displaying a video
image, wherein said light diffusion liquid includes light diffusion
particles that scatter said laser light and a dispersion medium
that disperses said light diffusion particles said light diffusion
layer has electrodes that generate an electric field, and said
light diffusion liquid has a charged substance.
18. The optical element according to claim 17, wherein said cells
are microcapsules.
19. The optical element according to claim 17, wherein said charged
substance comprises said light diffusion particles.
20. The optical element according to claim 19, wherein said light
diffusion particles include at least two kinds of particles having
different particle diameters.
21. The optical element according to claim 20, wherein among said
light diffusion particles, a charge amount of the light diffusion
particle having a smaller particle diameter is larger than a charge
amount of the light diffusion particle having a larger particle
diameter.
22. The optical element according to claim 19, wherein separated
one of said light diffusion liquids includes any one of said light
diffusion particles positively charged and said light diffusion
particles negatively charged.
23. The optical element according to claim 19, wherein separated
one of said light diffusion liquids includes said light diffusion
particles positively charged and said light diffusion particles
negatively charged.
24. The optical element according to claim 17, wherein said light
diffusion liquid further includes particles having a refractive
index approximately equal to a refractive index of said dispersion
medium said charged substance comprises said particles.
25. The optical element according to claim 17, wherein said light
diffusion liquid further includes a substance including a
hydrophilic part and a lipophilic part said charged substance is
said substance including the hydrophilic part and the lipophilic
part.
26. An optical element comprising a light diffusion layer including
cells planarly arranged, said cells each having therein a light
diffusion liquid that scatters laser light for displaying a video
image, wherein said light diffusion liquid includes at least two
kinds of liquids that do not mix with each other and have different
refractive indices.
27. The optical element according to claim 26, wherein said cells
are microcapsules.
28. The optical element according to claim 26, wherein said light
diffusion liquid includes light diffusion particles.
29. The optical element according to claim 26, wherein said light
diffusion layer includes electrodes for generating an electric
field, and at least one of said liquids has a charge.
30. The optical element according to claim 28, wherein said light
diffusion particles include at least two kinds of particles having
different diameters.
31. The optical element according to claim 17, wherein one of said
electrodes is a black stripe.
32. A screen including said optical element according to claim
17.
33. A display device including said optical element according to
claim 17.
34. The display device according to claim 33, displaying a video
image by raster scanning, wherein said electrodes change the
direction of an electric field during a flyback period.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an optical element for
image display, a screen and a display device.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A projection type display device such as a projector
displays an image on a screen by projecting light rays emitted from
a light source on a screen. However, the light rays are scattered
when they transmit a light diffusion layer of the screen that
displays a video image. When the scattered light rays interfere on
a side of a viewer such as audience, antiglare arises on the
screen. Brightness non-uniformity occurring due to the interference
of light rays is called scintillation. There is a problem that this
scintillation impairs the image. The brightness non-uniformity
indicates that brightness in a display surface is not uniform.
[0003] For solving this problem, the following method has been
disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1). A screen has a first
substrate and a second substrate. A light scattering part is
sandwiched between these two substrates. The light scattering part
has a dispersion liquid in which a light scattering material is
dispersed in a dispersion medium. When oscillation is given to at
least one of the substrates, the light scattering material migrates
in the dispersion medium. The light rays entering the screen pass
through a light diffusion plate or the light scattering part. By
this scattering of light, a scattered wave is formed. As a result
of migration of the light scattering material, scattering
distribution of the scattered wave and the phase of the scattered
wave temporally change. This temporal change in scattering
distribution and the temporal change in phase reduce the
scintillation.
PRIOR ART DOCUMENT
Patent Document
[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2008-151914 (Paragraphs 0011 and 0012, FIG. 5, FIG. 6)
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] However, the configuration of providing the screen with the
light diffusion part has a problem that distribution unevenness of
the light scattering material occurs over the entire screen. As a
result, the effect of reducing the scintillation is uneven. The
light diffusion part has a dispersion medium and a light scattering
material. The light scattering material migrates in the dispersion
medium.
[0006] The present invention has been devised to solve the
aforementioned problems. It is possible to obtain a screen without
unevenness, capable of reducing the scintillation by preventing
occurrence of distribution unevenness of the light scattering
material over the entire screen.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0007] An optical element according to the present invention
includes a light diffusion layer in which microcapsules, each
having therein a light diffusion liquid that scatters laser light
for displaying a video image, are planarly arranged.
[0008] An optical element according to the present invention
includes a light diffusion particle that scatters laser light for
displaying a video image, a charged substance having a charge, a
dispersion medium dispersing said light diffusion particle and said
charged substance, cells, each having therein said light diffusion
particle, said charged substance and said dispersion medium, being
planarly arranged to form a light diffusion layer, and electrodes
for generating an electric field in said cells.
[0009] An optical element according to the present invention
includes at least two kinds of liquids that do not mix with each
other and have different refractive indexes, and cells, each having
therein said liquid, being planarly arranged to form a light
diffusion layer that scatters laser light for displaying a video
image.
Effect of the Invention
[0010] The present invention provides an optical element that
reduces scintillation over an entire display surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a projection type
display device according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a positional relationship of
a projector, a viewer and a light diffusion plate of a screen in
the display device according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of
the screen according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of
the screen according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view showing a
configuration of the screen according to the first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of
a microcapsule according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a second light diffusion plate
according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a screen according to a second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the screen according to the
second embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a microcapsule according to a third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a view for explaining a positional relationship
of a projector, a viewer and a screen in a display device according
to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of the screen according to the fourth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of the screen according to the fourth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of the screen according to the fourth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a view for explaining a light diffusing effect by
a dispersion medium and a binder material of a screen according to
a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 16 is a view for explaining the light diffusing effect
by the dispersion medium and the binder material of the screen
according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a microcapsule of a screen according to a sixth embodiment of
the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a microcapsule of the screen according to the sixth embodiment
of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a microcapsule of the screen according to the sixth embodiment
of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a microcapsule of the screen according to the sixth embodiment
of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 21 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a microcapsule of the screen according to the sixth embodiment
of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 22 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a microcapsule of the screen according to the sixth embodiment
of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a microcapsule of the screen according to the sixth embodiment
of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 24 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a microcapsule of the screen according to the sixth embodiment
of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 25 is a view showing temporal changes in a voltage
applied to an electrode of a screen and in a speed of a light
diffusion particle according to a seventh embodiment of the present
invention.
[0036] FIG. 26 is a view showing temporal changes in a voltage
applied to an electrode of a screen and in a speed of a light
diffusion particle according to an eighth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0037] FIG. 27 is a view showing a temporal change in a voltage
applied to an electrode of a screen according to a ninth embodiment
of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 28 is a view showing a temporal change in a voltage
applied to the electrode of the screen according to the ninth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 29 is a view for explaining a method of scanning laser
light on a screen according to a tenth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0040] FIG. 30 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a microcapsule of a screen according to an eleventh embodiment
of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 31 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a microcapsule of a screen according to a twelfth embodiment of
the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 32 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a charged substance of the screen according to the twelfth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 33 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a microcapsule of a screen according to a thirteenth embodiment
of the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 34 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a microcapsule of the screen according to the thirteenth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 35 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a microcapsule of the screen according to the thirteenth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 36 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a microcapsule of the screen according to the thirteenth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 37 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a screen according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0048] FIG. 38 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of the screen according to the fourteenth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0049] FIG. 39 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of the screen according to the fourteenth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0050] FIG. 40 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a screen according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0051] FIG. 41 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of the screen according to the fifteenth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0052] FIG. 42 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a screen according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0053] FIG. 43 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of the screen according to the sixteenth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0054] FIG. 44 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a microcapsule of a screen according to the sixteenth embodiment
of the present invention.
[0055] FIG. 45 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of the screen according to the sixteenth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0056] FIG. 46 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a screen according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0057] FIG. 47 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of the screen according to the seventeenth embodiment of the
present invention.
[0058] FIG. 48 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a liquid crystal display device according to an eighteenth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0059] FIG. 49 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of the liquid crystal display device according to the eighteenth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0060] FIG. 50 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of the liquid crystal display device according to the eighteenth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0061] FIG. 51 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a projection type display device according to a nineteenth
embodiment of the present invention.
EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
First Embodiment
[0062] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a projection type
display device 3 in the first embodiment for carrying out the
present invention. FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a positional
relationship of a projector 31, a viewer 9, a first light diffusion
plate 1 and a second light diffusion plate 2. The display device 3
has the projector 31, the viewer 9, the first light diffusion plate
1 and the second light diffusion plate 2. A screen 100 has the
first light diffusion plate 1 and the second light diffusion plate
2. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are configuration diagrams showing a
configuration of the screen 100. FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded
view showing a configuration of the screen 100 for projection. FIG.
6 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a
microcapsule 11. FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a configuration
of the second light diffusion plate 2.
[0063] In FIG. 1, projection light 4 emitted from the projector 31
is reflected at a mirror part 32 and then projected onto the screen
100. In FIG. 2, a configuration of the display device 3 is shown in
a simplified manner while the mirror part 32 is omitted. The screen
100 has the first light diffusion plate 1 and the first light
diffusion plate 2. The microcapsules 11 that are planarly arranged
form a light diffusion layer 10. The first light diffusion plate 1
is made up of the light diffusion layer 10 formed by the
microcapsules 11 and a supporting sheet 12. The projection light 4
emitted from the projector 31 is scattered when it passes through
the first light diffusion plate 1 provided on the incidence side of
the screen 100. The projection light 4 is also scattered when it
passes through the second light diffusion plate 2. The second light
diffusion plate 2 is disposed on the side opposite to the projector
31 with respect to the first light diffusion plate 1.
[0064] The viewer 9 views the scattered light as a video image
projected onto the screen 100. The viewer 9 is positioned on the
side opposite to the projector 31 with respect to the screen 100.
Here, a temporal change in scattered light averages the
scintillation. The temporal change in scattered light reduces the
scintillation. A function that the scattered light changes
temporally is provided for the first light diffusion plate 1. A
light ray having entered the screen passes through the light
diffusion plate or a light scattering part. A movement of a light
scattering material changes a scattering distribution of a
scattered wave formed in the light diffusion plate or the light
scattering part, and changes the phase of the scattered wave. A
brightness distribution on the screen changes and the scintillation
is reduced.
[0065] For thinning the depth of the display device 3, the
projection light 4 is projected from the projector 31 toward the
screen 100 at a relatively large projection angle. For achieving
this, the screen 100 has a Fresnel lens 18. The Fresnel lens 18 has
a function of directing the light projected onto the screen 100
toward the viewer 9. As shown in FIG. 3, the first light diffusion
plate 1 may have the function of the Fresnel lens 18 as a unit on
the side of an incidence plane of the projection light 4. Further,
as shown in FIG. 4, the Fresnel lens 18 may be disposed on the
incidence side of the screen 100 as a separate component, and the
first light diffusion plate 1 may be disposed between the Fresnel
lens 18 and the second light diffusion plate 2.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 5, the first light diffusion plate 1 has
the supporting sheet 12 and the microcapsule 11. As shown in FIG.
6, the microcapsule 11 has a dispersion medium 1B and a light
diffusion particle 15 in a capsule membrane 13. The light diffusion
particle 15 is a first light diffusion particle. A dispersion
liquid 14 is made up of the dispersion medium 1B and the light
diffusion particle 15. As shown FIG. 3, the microcapsule 11 is
fixed to the supporting sheet 12 by means of a binder material 1A
such as an adhesive on the emission side of the projection light 4.
The binder material 1A may be elastic even after hardening. In
particular, for application to a reflection type screen described
later, it is effective to use the binder material 1A that will not
completely harden.
[0067] This configuration uses an adhesive in which the
microcapsule 11 is mixed during production. A step of applying the
adhesive uniformly on the surface of the emission side of the
supporting sheet 12 is required. This production method may be
readily realized using, for example, a screen printing technique.
With such a method, it is possible to readily apply the
microcapsule 11 on the entire face of the surface on the light
emission side of the supporting sheet 12 in a short time.
Therefore, it is possible to readily produce the first light
diffusion plate 1 with stable quality.
[0068] The first light diffusion plate 1 and the second light
diffusion plate 2 are held at predetermined positions by a holding
structure provided in the display device 3. Therefore, the first
light diffusion plate 1 and the second light diffusion plate 2
constituting the screen 100 may bend due to the gravity, external
force and so on. For example, the screen of Patent Document 1 has
such a structure that the light diffusion part of the screen is
sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate.
The light diffusion part has a light scattering material capable of
moving in a dispersion medium. When the screen bends, a gap amount
between the first substrate and the second substrate changes.
Therefore, the number of light scattering materials and the moving
speed of the light scattering material may not be uniform on the
screen surface.
[0069] On the other hand, in the screen 100 according to the first
embodiment, the microcapsule 11 is fixed to the supporting sheet
12. Therefore, even when the first light diffusion plate 1 bends
and its planarity changes, the shape of the microcapsule 11 will
not change. Therefore, the number of the light diffusion particles
15 in the microcapsule 11 will not change. Also, the moving speed
of the light diffusion particle 15 in the microcapsule 11 will not
change. In a large-sized screen wherein planarity is difficult to
be kept, it is also possible to keep an intensity distribution of
transmitted light and an effect of reducing the scintillation
uniformly.
[0070] In FIG. 6, the microcapsule 11 is approximately spherical.
The microcapsule 11 contains the dispersion liquid 14 in the
capsule membrane 13. The dispersion liquid 14 is made up of the
dispersion medium 1B and the light diffusion particle 15. The light
diffusion particle 15 is an approximately spherical dispersion
phase.
[0071] The capsule membrane 13 is made up of, for example, gelatin,
a mixture of gelatin and gum arabic, urethane resin, melamine resin
and urea-formalin resin and so on. For the dispersion medium 1B,
density, viscosity and the like are selected. Depending on the
selected density, viscosity and the like, the light diffusion
particle 15 can more easily move in the dispersion liquid 14. As a
result, the first light diffusion particle 15 makes Brownian motion
in the dispersion liquid 14. In this manner, the first light
diffusion particle 15 is able to continue moving in the dispersion
liquid 14.
[0072] The Brownian motion is irregular motion of a microparticle.
The Brownian motion is a phenomenon that occurs due to non-uniform
collisions of thermally moving neighboring molecules. By the
Brownian motion, the scattered wave of the projection light 4
changes temporally. As a result, the scintillation is averaged.
Then, the scintillation is reduced, and the scintillation is
removed.
[0073] Also, the light diffusion particles 15 are charged in the
same sign. The light diffusion particle 15 is a first light
diffusion particle. As a result, the light diffusion particles 15
repels each other, and are dispersed uniformly without being
concentrated in one site in the dispersion liquid 14. Accordingly,
the light diffusion particles 15 are able to make Brownian motion
in the dispersion liquid 14 without being concentrated in one site
in the dispersion liquid 14. The light diffusion particles 15 move
while they are uniformly dispersed. The first light diffusion plate
1 is able to obtain such an effect.
[0074] When the temperature of the screen 100 rises due to the
projection light 4, the light diffusion particle 15 in the
microcapsule 11 actively makes Brownian motion. As a result of
continuous movement of the light diffusion particle 15 in the
microcapsule 11, the scattered wave of the projection light 4
changes temporally. When the amount of change and the speed of
change are sufficiently large, the scintillation is averaged. Then,
the scintillation is reduced, and the scintillation is removed.
[0075] It is desired that the size of the light diffusion particle
15 be in the range of about 0.5 .mu.m to about 10 .mu.m. When a
microparticle is irradiated with a laser beam, light is emitted in
various directions from the particle. The various directions
include the anteroposterior direction, the vertical direction and
the horizontal direction. This is called diffraction scattered
light.
[0076] Intensity of the diffraction scattered light describes a
constant light intensity distribution pattern in the direction in
which the light is emitted. The light intensity distribution
pattern changes in various forms depending on the size of the
particle. As the particle size decreases, the light on the lateral
side and the light on the back side intensify. The lateral side
refers to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The
back side refers to the direction opposite to the traveling of the
laser beam. In other words, the light will spread in every
direction in the shape like a cocoon or a gourd.
[0077] When the diameter of the light diffusion particle 15 is less
than 0.5 the proportion of the light scattered on the back side in
the intensity distribution of scattered light is not negligible. In
this case, the amount of light passing through the screen 100
decreases, and the light use efficiency decreases. The light use
efficiency is a proportion of the amount of light seen as a video
image by the viewer 9, in the amount of light emitted from the
projector 31. Therefore, the image plane projected onto the screen
100 becomes dark. On the other hand, when the diameter of the light
diffusion particle 15 is 10 .mu.M or more, the resistance from the
dispersion medium 1B increases, and the motion of the light
diffusion particle 15 in the microcapsule 11 decreases. As a
result, a sufficient scintillation reducing effect may not be
obtained.
[0078] As the diameter of the microcapsule 11 increases, the
thickness of the first light diffusion plate 1 increases, so that
the resolution decreases. Therefore, it is desired that the
diameter of the microcapsule 11 is about 200 .mu.m or less. The
movement of the light scattering material in the medium in Patent
Document 1 is larger than the diameter 200 .mu.m of the
microcapsule 11 described above. However, even when the movement
amount of the light diffusion particle 15 is about 200 .mu.m, it is
possible to obtain the scintillation reducing effect as far as the
light diffusion particle 15 moves randomly in the microcapsule 11.
Accordingly, there arises no particular problem even if the light
diffusion particle 15 does not move a long distance as in the
conventional case.
[0079] In this manner, it is possible to obtain a screen with
reduced scintillation by suppressing distribution unevenness of
light diffusion particles over the entire screen.
[0080] A screen with reduced scintillation is disclosed in Japanese
Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-328003. This publication
discloses a technique of rotating the entire light diffusion plate
of the screen in the planar direction of the screen. There is
proposed a method of allowing continuous movement of the light
diffusion plate by this rotational motion. The light diffusion
plate has a function of the light scattering material in Patent
Document 1. However, when the method of moving the entire light
diffusion plate of the screen is employed, a large amount of energy
is required for driving the light diffusion plate. Therefore, there
are still problems of oscillation and noise. In the screen
according to the present first embodiment, the light diffusion
particle is moved. The energy required for movement of the light
diffusion particle is smaller than that in the method of moving the
entire light diffusion plate of the screen. Therefore, the
oscillation occurring in movement of the screen can be suppressed.
Also, the adverse effect such as noise occurring in movement of the
screen can be suppressed.
[0081] In the first embodiment, the configuration where the screen
100 has the first light diffusion plate 1 and the second light
diffusion plate 2 has been described. However, the second light
diffusion plate 2 is not necessarily required. Accordingly, the
screen 100 may have a configuration omitting the second light
diffusion plate 2. The screen 100 may employ a configuration
omitting the second light diffusion plate 2. However, when the
motion of the light diffusion particle 15 in the microcapsule 11 is
slow, the scintillation is not sufficiently reduced. In such a
case, it sometimes seems that brightness non-uniformity due to
interference of light rays moves on the screen. By providing the
second light diffusion plate 2 in such a case, it is possible to
reduce the brightness non-uniformity due to interference of light
rays, and to suppress the scintillation.
[0082] Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a configuration of improving
the contrast will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing
a configuration of the second light diffusion plate 2. The upper
side of FIG. 7(A) and FIG. 7(B) is the side of the viewer 9, and
the lower side is an incidence side of the projection light 4. As
shown in FIG. 7(A), on the incidence side of the projection light 4
of the second light diffusion plate 2, a lenticular lens 23 is
formed. Inside a supporting sheet part 21 on the side of the viewer
9, a light diffusion particle 22 is contained. The light diffusion
particle 22 is a second light diffusion particle.
[0083] A light ray 5 from outside enters the second light diffusion
plate 2 from the side of the viewer 9. The light ray 5 is scattered
by the light diffusion particle 22 in the supporting sheet part 21.
Then the light ray 5 is reflected on the lens surface of the
lenticular lens 23 and emitted again on the side of the viewer 9.
The lenticular lens 23 is disposed on the incidence side of the
projection light 4 of the second light diffusion plate 2. The
viewer 9 views the light ray 5 concurrently with the projection
light 4. The light ray 5 is unnecessary external light. The
projection light 4 is image light projected from the projector 31.
Image light means light having image information. Therefore, the
contrast of the video image decreases.
[0084] As shown in FIG. 7(B), the supporting sheet part 21 is
provided with a black stripe 24 on the side of the viewer 9. The
black stripe 24 absorbs light reflected on the lens surface of the
lenticular lens 23. Alternatively, the black stripe 24 reflects the
light reflected on the lens surface of the lenticular lens 23. The
black stripe 24 does not emit the light ray 5 which is unnecessary
external light, on the side of the viewer 9. Accordingly, it is
possible to prevent the contrast from decreasing. Here, the
lenticular lens 23 is formed in the vertical direction so as to
widen a view angle in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the
black stripe 24 is provided similarly in the vertical
direction.
[0085] Further, a configuration capable of improving the contrast
owing to the disposition of the first light diffusion plate 1 and
the disposition of the second light diffusion plate 2 will be
described. As described above, it is desired that the diameter of
the light diffusion particle 15 in the microcapsule 11 be from
about 0.5 .mu.m to about 10 .mu.m. Taking the Brownian motion into
account, a particle diameter of about 1 .mu.m is most appropriate.
For this reason, as the first light diffusion particle 15, a
particle having a particle diameter of about 1 .mu.m is used.
However, light has a nature of being scattered in the traveling
direction of the light ray by a particle of about 1 .mu.m. In
addition, light has a nature of being slightly scattered backward
by a particle of about 1 .mu.m. The term backward means the
direction opposite to the traveling direction of the light ray.
[0086] On the other hand, diameter of the second light diffusion
particle 22 is smaller than that of the first light diffusion
particle 15. The second light diffusion particle 22 is contained in
the second light diffusion plate 2. The first light diffusion
particle 15 is contained in the microcapsule 11 of the first light
diffusion plate 1. Therefore, in the case of the second light
diffusion particle 22, the scattered light concentrates in the
traveling direction of the light ray in comparison with the first
light diffusion particle 15. In other words, in the light diffusion
plate 2, light is hardly scattered backward. Here, the term
backward refers to the side of the viewer 9. On the other hand, in
the light diffusion plate 1, light is significantly scattered
backward. Here, the term backward refers to the side of the
projector 31. From this, in order not to make the light ray 5 be
scattered on the side of the viewer 9 as much as possible, the
position of the light diffusion particle 15 having a smaller
particle size is determined in consideration of a positional
relationship with the light diffusion particle 22 having a larger
particle size. The light ray 5 is a light ray entering inside the
screen 100 from the side of the viewer 9. The term backward refers
to the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the light
ray 5. The side of the viewer 9 is backward with respect to the
travelling direction of the light ray 5.
[0087] In other words, the first light diffusion plate 1 is
disposed on the incidence side of the projection light 4. The
second light diffusion plate 2 is disposed on the emission side.
The first light diffusion plate 1 has the first light diffusion
particle 15 having a smaller particle size. The second light
diffusion plate 2 has the second light diffusion particle 22 having
a larger particle size. The incidence side of the projection light
4 is the interior side of the display device 3. The emission side
of the projection light 4 is the exterior side of the display
device 3. In this manner, it is possible to prevent the external
light from being scattered on the side of the viewer 9. Here, the
light ray 5 is external light. The first light diffusion particle
15 is a light diffusion particle of the first light diffusion plate
1. The second light diffusion particle 22 is a light diffusion
particle of the second light diffusion plate 2.
[0088] As described above, by disposing the black stripe 24 on the
side of the emission plane of the second light diffusion plate 2,
it is possible to improve the contrast of the video image. Also,
the first light diffusion particle 15 is disposed on the incidence
side of the projection light 4. The second light diffusion particle
22 is disposed on the emission side of the projection light 4. In
this manner, it is possible to improve the contrast of the video
image. A particle size of the first light diffusion particle 15 is
smaller than that of the second light diffusion particle 22.
Second Embodiment
[0089] In the screen 100 in the first embodiment, the Brownian
motion of the light diffusion particle 15 inside the microcapsule
11 is improved by utilizing the temperature rise of the screen 100
using the projection light 4. In a screen 110 in the second
embodiment, by generating an electric field by applying a voltage
on the screen 110, the Brownian motion of the light diffusion
particle 15 is promoted. In the second embodiment, a configuration
omitting the second light diffusion plate 2 described in the first
embodiment will be described.
[0090] FIGS. 8 and 9 are sectional views showing configurations of
screens 110, 120 in the second embodiment. The constituent that is
identical to the constituent shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 is denoted by
the same reference numeral, and the description thereof will be
omitted.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 8, the supporting sheet 12 and the
microcapsule 11 are disposed between a transparent electrode 16a
and a transparent electrode 16b. The microcapsule 11 is applied on
the supporting sheet 12. That is, the transparent electrodes 16a,
16b are disposed in such a manner that they sandwich the supporting
sheet 12 and the microcapsule 11 from both sides in the direction
of light axis of the projection light 4. A power source 17 is
connected to the two electrodes 16a, 16b. The power source 17
supplies voltage to the two electrodes 16a, 16b. Then, an electric
filed arises in the microcapsule 11. The light diffusion particles
15 in the second embodiment are charged in the same sign. That is,
the light diffusion particles 15 are positively charged, or the
light diffusion particles 15 are negatively charged. Therefore, the
charged light diffusion particle 15 receives a Coulomb force. Then,
the light diffusion particle 15 moves inside the microcapsule 11 in
the direction of the light axis of the projection light 4. AC
voltage is applied to the electrodes 16a, 16b. As a result, the
light diffusion particle 15 continues moving in such a manner that
it reciprocates in the direction of the light axis of the
projection light 4.
[0092] As to the transparent electrode, the electrode itself may be
transparent. Moreover, as to the transparent electrode, the
electrode itself may not be transparent, but the line diameter of
the electrode may be very small. That is, the electrode is so thin
that it is translucent and allows viewing beyond the screen.
[0093] For example, it is assumed that the light diffusion
particles 15 are positively charged. The electrode 16a on the side
of the supporting sheet 12 is made to be positively charged. The
electrode 16b on the side of the microcapsule 11 is made to be
negatively charged. In this case, the light diffusion particle 15
moves inside the microcapsule 11 in the direction of the electrode
16b. However, since each light diffusion particle 15 is positively
charged, they repel with each other. Therefore, the light diffusion
particles 15 will not concentrate in one site. Next, the electrode
16a is made to be negatively charged. Then, the electrode 16b is
made to be positively charged. In this case, the light diffusion
particle 15 moves inside the microcapsule 11 in the direction of
the electrode 16a.
[0094] In this manner, when an AC voltage is applied to the
electrodes 16a, 16b, the light diffusion particle 15 continues
reciprocating in the direction of the light axis of the screen 110.
The light diffusion particles 15 inside the microcapsule 11 repel
with each other. Therefore, the light diffusion particles 15 will
not concentrate in one site. As a result, a scattered wave of the
projection light 4 temporally changes. When the change amount and
the change speed are sufficiently large, the scintillation is
averaged and reduced for the viewer 5. Alternatively, for the
viewer 5, the scintillation is removed.
[0095] As the result, the screen 110 is able to improve the effect
of reducing the scintillation by activating the motion of the light
diffusion particle 15 as well as the Brownian motion of the light
diffusion particle 15. The screen 110 is also able to suppress the
energy required for movement of the light diffusion particle 15.
Accordingly, the screen 110 is able to reduce the scintillation by
suppressing distribution unevenness of light diffusion particle
over the entire screen.
[0096] Next, FIG. 9 will be described. In the screen 110 shown in
FIG. 8, the supporting sheet 12 and the microcapsule 11 are
disposed between the transparent electrode 16a and the transparent
electrode 16b. On the other hand, in the screen 120 shown in FIG.
9, only the microcapsule 11 is disposed between the transparent
electrode 16a and the transparent electrode 16b. Therefore, the
microcapsule 11 is fixed onto the electrode 16a that is fixed to
the supporting sheet 12. The light diffusion plate 1 is made up of
the light diffusion layer 10 and the electrode 16a.
[0097] As a result, the screen 120 is able to apply an electric
filed to the microcapsule 11 more directly. Therefore, by applying
an AC voltage to the electrodes 16a, 16b, the screen 120 can allow
the light diffusion particle 15 to move in the direction of the
light axis of the projection light 4 more easily. The screen 120 is
able to suppress the energy required for movement of the light
diffusion particle. Further, the screen 120 is able to reduce the
scintillation by suppressing the distribution unevenness of light
diffusion particle over the entire screen.
Third Embodiment
[0098] In the first embodiment, the shape of the light diffusion
particle 15 in the microcapsule 11 was approximately spherical.
However, the light diffusion particle 15 in the third embodiment
has a non-spherical shape. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram
showing a configuration of the microcapsule 11 in the third
embodiment. The constituent that is identical to the constituent
shown in FIG. 6 is denoted by the same reference numeral, and the
description thereof will be omitted.
[0099] When the light diffusion particle 15 is spherical, it is
necessary for the light diffusion particle 15 to change its
position at an adequate speed in the microcapsule 11 for
effectively reducing the scintillation. That is, the light
diffusion particle 15 in a spherical shape needs to move fast. On
the other hand, the case where the light diffusion particle 15 is
in the form of a flat non-spherical shape such as, for example, a
convex lens (hereinafter, referred to as a convex lens shape) as
shown in FIG. 10 will be described. The light diffusion particle 15
in a convex lens shape is able to change its posture by motion of a
molecule of the dispersion medium 1B without changing its position
in the microcapsule 11. As a result, the angle of the light
diffusion particle 15 with respect to the projection light 4
changes. The light diffusion particle 15 is able to cause a
temporal change in a scattered wave without changing its position
in the microcapsule 11. The motion of the dispersion medium
molecule is small in an environment at low temperature. However,
even in the environment at low temperature, the light diffusion
particle 15 in a non-spherical shape is able to reduce the
scintillation. Alternatively, even in the environment at low
temperature, the light diffusion particle 15 in a non-spherical
shape is able to remove the scintillation.
[0100] As a result, it is possible to suppress the energy required
for movement of the light diffusion particle, and to obtain a
screen with reduced scintillation by suppressing distribution
unevenness of the light diffusion particle over the entire
screen.
[0101] By forming the light diffusion particle 15 of a polymer,
spherical and non-spherical particles can be readily prepared.
Examples of the polymer include polystyrene, acryl and the
like.
Fourth Embodiment
[0102] While a transmission type screen has been described in the
first to third embodiments, a reflection type screen will be
described in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a view for
explaining a positional relationship of the projector 31, the
viewer 9 and a reflection type screen 130. FIG. 12 is a
configuration diagram showing a configuration of the screen 130.
FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a
screen 140. The constituent that is identical to the constituent
shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is denoted by the same reference
numeral, and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0103] Unlike the transmission type screen 100 shown in FIG. 2, the
projection light 4 emitted from the projector 31 is reflected on
the surface of the screen 130. At this time, the projection light 4
is scattered. As shown in FIG. 11, the viewer 9 is positioned on
the same side of the projector 31 with respect to the screen 130.
The viewer 9 is able to view the scattered light as a video image.
The video image is a video image displayed on the screen 130.
[0104] In FIG. 12, the surface on the side of the viewer 9 of the
supporting sheet 12 of the screen 130 is formed with a
convexoconcave light diffusion part 19. The microcapsule 11 is
fixed to the supporting sheet 12 on the incidence side of the
projection light 4 by means of the binder material 1A. The binder
material 1A is an adhesive or the like. That is, the microcapsule
11 is fixed to the plane where the light diffusion part 19 is
formed in the screen 130 by means of an adhesive or the like. The
screen 130 corresponds to the light diffusion plate 1 in the first
embodiment.
[0105] The projection light 4 is emitted from the projector 31. And
the projection light 4 is scattered when it passes through the
microcapsule 11. The microcapsule 11 is provided on the incidence
side of the screen 130. The projection light 4 is also scattered
when it is reflected at the light diffusion part 19. The light
diffusion part 19 is formed on the incidence side of the screen
130. The light ray reflected at the light diffusion part 19 is
scattered again when it passes through the microcapsule 11.
[0106] The scattered light temporally changes in the microcapsule
11. Owing to this function, the scintillation is averaged and
reduced. Alternatively, the scintillation is averaged and removed
by this function.
[0107] The microcapsule 11 is provided on the plane on the side of
the light diffusion part 19 of the screen 130. As a result, the
energy required for movement of the light diffusion particle is
suppressed, and the distribution unevenness of the light diffusion
particle 15 over the entire screen is suppressed, and a screen with
reduced scintillation can be obtained.
[0108] The transmission type screen described in the first to third
embodiments is used in a rear projector that projects from the back
of the screen. The transmission type screen is generally used in a
projection television set or the like. Therefore, the screen is
fixed to the housing of the display device 3, and used as a
component of the display device 3. The display device 3 is a
projection television set or the like. On the other hand, the
reflection type screen described in the fourth embodiment is a
projecting device such as a front projector. The front projector or
the like is configured such that the projector 31 projects light
from the front of the screen. The screen 130 is usually stored in a
wound state in the ceiling of a meeting room or the like. As
described in FIG. 12, the light diffusion part 19 of a conventional
reflection type screen is formed on the surface of the supporting
sheet 12. Therefore, the conventional reflection type screen can be
easily stored in the wound state.
[0109] In the screen 130 described in the fourth embodiment, the
microcapsule 11 is attached to a surface of a conventional screen.
An adhesive or the like is used for attachment of the microcapsule
11. Therefore, it is recognized that the screen can be stored in a
wound state more easily in comparison with the conventional screen
to which a measure for the scintillation is taken. The conventional
screen to which a measure for the scintillation is taken refers to
the screen shown in Patent Document 1.
[0110] Also, as described in the second embodiment, there is
employed a method of applying a voltage on the screen in addition
to the Brownian motion of the light diffusion particle 15 in the
microcapsule 11. The method of applying a voltage on the screen is
a method of promoting the motion of the light diffusion particle
15. As shown in the screen 140 of FIG. 13, the supporting sheet 12
and the microcapsule 11 are disposed between the electrode 16a and
the electrode 16b. That is, the electrodes 16a, 16b are disposed so
that they sandwich the supporting sheet 12 and the microcapsule 11
attached to the supporting sheet 12 from both sides in the light
axis direction of the projection light 4.
[0111] In this case, it is necessary that the electrode 16b
disposed on the side of the microcapsule 11 is transparent.
However, it is not necessary that the electrode 16a disposed on the
side of the supporting sheet is transparent. Also, as described in
FIG. 9 of the second embodiment, the supporting sheet 12 is not
disposed between the electrode 16a and the electrode 16b, and only
the microcapsule 11 is disposed between the electrode 16a and the
electrode 16b. In this case, it is necessary that both of the
electrodes 16a, 16b are transparent. A screen 150 shown in FIG. 14
is able to apply an electric field on the microcapsule 11 more
directly. The screen 150 is able to move the light diffusion
particle 15 in the direction of the light axis of the projection
light 4 more easily by applying an AC voltage on the electrodes
16a, 16b.
[0112] In this case as well, similarly to the above description, by
disposing the power source 17 on the ceiling side, it is possible
to easily store the screens 140, 150 in the wound state.
[0113] As described above, the reflection type screen 130 has the
microcapsule 11 on the surface of the screen. The reflection type
screen 130 is able to reduce the scintillation by suppressing the
energy required for movement of the light diffusion particle 15 and
suppressing distribution unevenness of the light diffusion particle
15 over the entire screen. Also, the screens 140, 150 have the
electrodes 16a, 16b. The electrodes 16a, 16b activate the motion of
the light diffusion particle 15 in addition to the Brownian motion
of the light diffusion particle 15. Therefore, the effect of
reducing the scintillation can be improved. Also, the screens 130,
140, 150 can be easily wound and stored at the time of storage.
[0114] In the case of the reflection type screen, the screen and
the projecting device are not always separate components as
described above. The projecting device is a projector. As shown in
paragraph 0024, FIGS. 5 and 7 in Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open No. 2003-38843 which is a patent document, a reflection
type screen is used as one component of a display device in a game
machine or the like.
Fifth Embodiment
[0115] In the fifth embodiment, a refractive index of an adhesive
and a refractive index of the dispersion medium 1B in the
microcapsule 11 will be described. The adhesive retains the
microcapsule 11 on the supporting sheet 12. FIG. 15 is a view for
explaining a light diffusing effect of the dispersion medium 1B and
a light diffusing effect of the binder material 1A. Inside of the
broken line around the microcapsule 11 represents the binder
material 1A. The binder material 1A is an adhesive or the like.
FIG. 16 is a characteristic chart showing a light diffusing effect
of the dispersion medium 1B and a light diffusing effect of the
binder material 1A. The constituent that is identical to the
constituent of FIG. 2 and the constituent of FIG. 6 is denoted by
the same reference numeral, and the description thereof will be
omitted.
[0116] In FIG. 15, a description will be given for a refractive
index of the binder material 1A denoted by n.sub.B and a refractive
index of the dispersion medium 1B denoted by n.sub.P. As shown in
FIG. 3, the binder material 1A exists around the microcapsule 11.
When the refractive indexes n.sub.B, n.sub.P differ from each
other, the microcapsule 11 has an effect of a lens. As shown in
FIG. 15(A), when the refractive index difference (n.sub.B-n.sub.P)
is a negative value, the microcapsule 11 has an effect of a convex
lens. As shown in FIG. 15(B), when the refractive index difference
(n.sub.B-n.sub.P) is a positive value, the microcapsule 11 has an
effect of a concave lens. This effect depends on an absolute value
of refractive index difference |n.sub.B-n.sub.P| between the two.
That is, depending on the selection of the material for the binder
material 1A and the material for the dispersion medium 1B, the
screen has a very large light diffusing effect.
[0117] When there is a light diffusing effect depending on the
absolute value of refractive index difference 1 n.sub.B-n.sub.P|,
the video image displayed on the screen blurs. Then, the video
image displayed on the screen is not clear. This phenomenon is
irrelevant to presence or absence of scattering by the light
diffusion particle 15 in the microcapsule 11. The absolute value of
refractive index difference |n.sub.B-n.sub.P| is an absolute value
of refractive index difference between the binder material 1A and
the dispersion medium 1B. On the other hand, scattering of the
projection light 4 by the light diffusion particle 15 causes a
phenomenon that the video image blurs. The phenomenon that the
video image blurs means a phenomenon that the video image is not
clear. The phenomenon that the video image blurs is a phenomenon
similar to the refractive index difference |n.sub.B-n.sub.P|.
However, scattering of the projection light 4 by the light
diffusion particle 15 has an effect of suppressing the
scintillation. Therefore, the light diffusing effect by the
absolute value of refractive index difference |n.sub.B-n.sub.P| is
made smaller. This is because the absolute value of refractive
index difference |n.sub.B-n.sub.P| includes no temporally changing
factor of the scattering of the projection light 4. In other words,
the absolute value of refractive index difference |n.sub.B-n.sub.P|
does not have an effect of suppressing the scintillation. On the
other hand, the light diffusing effect of the projection light 4 by
the light diffusion particle 15 has an effect of suppressing the
scintillation. Therefore, the light diffusing effect of the
projection light 4 by the light diffusion particle 15 is made
larger. As a result, the phenomenon that the video image blurs can
be suppressed, and the scintillation can be suppressed
effectively.
[0118] A range of the refractive index difference |n.sub.B-n.sub.P|
between the binder material 1A and the dispersion medium 1B will be
concretely described. FIG. 16 is a view showing a relationship
between a refractive index difference (n.sub.B-n.sub.P) and a haze
value (cloudiness value). The horizontal axis represents refractive
index difference (n.sub.B-n.sub.P), and the vertical axis
represents haze value. A haze value is a rate of diffused
transmitted light to the entire transmitted light when a film is
radiated with visible light. As the haze value decreases, the
transparency of the film increases. As described above, a haze
value is a value representing the degree of cloudiness of a film or
the like, and is generally used as an amount quantitatively showing
the light diffusing effect of the light diffusion element 15.
[0119] In FIG. 16, when the value of the absolute value of
refractive index difference |n.sub.B-n.sub.P| is zero, the haze
value is minimal. The haze value is about 43%. This haze value
indicates the light diffusing effect only by the light diffusion
particle 15. Here, the light diffusing effect is influenced by the
capsule membrane. However, the influence is not taken into account
because it is very small. As the absolute value of refractive index
difference |n.sub.B-n.sub.P| increases, the lens effect by the
microcapsule 11 increases. The haze value increases rapidly. When
the absolute value of refractive index difference |n.sub.B-n.sub.P|
is 0.05, the haze value is about 80%. When the absolute value of
refractive index difference |n.sub.B-n.sub.P| is 0.05 or more, an
increase in the haze value is blunted, and the haze value converges
to about 88%. From these facts, it is desired to suppress the light
diffusing effect by the refractive index difference while
increasing the light diffusing effect of the light diffusion
particle 15. Preferably, the absolute value of refractive index
difference |n.sub.B-n.sub.P| satisfies the following conditional
mathematical formula (1). The absolute value of refractive index
difference |n.sub.B-n.sub.P| is an absolute value of refractive
index difference between the refractive index n.sub.B of the binder
material 1A and the refractive index n.sub.P of the dispersion
medium 1B.
[Mathematical formula 1]
|n.sub.B-n.sub.P|.ltoreq.0.05 (1)
[0120] As described above, the absolute value of refractive index
difference |n.sub.B-n.sub.P| is made small, preferably to satisfy
n.sub.B-n.sub.P.ltoreq.0.05. In this way, the light diffusing
effect by the absolute value of refractive index difference
|n.sub.B-n.sub.P| is decreased, and the phenomenon that the video
image blurs is suppressed. The absolute value of refractive index
difference |n.sub.B-n.sub.P| does not have an effect of suppressing
the scintillation. On the other hand, by increasing the light
diffusing effect of the projection light 4 by the light diffusion
particle 15, it is possible to suppress the scintillation
effectively. The light diffusion particle 15 has an effect of
reducing the scintillation. From the above, the energy required for
movement of the light diffusion particle 15 is suppressed, and the
distribution unevenness of the light diffusion particle 15 over the
entire screen is suppressed, and a screen with reduced
scintillation can be obtained.
Sixth Embodiment
[0121] In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the light
diffusion particles 15 having substantially the same particle size
were used, and the charge amount was also uniform. In the sixth
embodiment, the light diffusion particles 15 having non-uniform
particle sizes are used, and the light diffusion particles 15
having non-uniform charge amounts are used. FIG. 17 to FIG. 24 are
configuration diagrams showing a configuration of a microcapsule.
The constituent that is identical to the constituent of FIG. 6 and
constituent of FIG. 10 is denoted by the same reference numeral,
and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0122] In FIG. 17, the microcapsule 11 is appropriately spherical.
The microcapsule 11 is made up of the capsule membrane 13, the
dispersion medium 1B and light diffusion particles 15a, 15b. In the
microcapsule 11, the dispersion medium 1B and the light diffusion
particles 15a, 15b are contained. The dispersion liquid 14 is made
up of the dispersion medium 1B and the light diffusion particles
15a, 15b. The light diffusion particles 15a, 15b are approximately
spherical, and particle sizes of the light diffusion particles 15a,
15b are not uniform. When the particle size of the light diffusion
particle 15 is uniform, the speed at which the light diffusion
particles 15 moves, for example, by the Brownian motion is
substantially uniform. However, when the particle sizes of the
light diffusion particles 15 are non-uniform, the moving speed of
the light diffusion particle 15a having a larger particle size is
slower. And the moving speed of the light diffusion particle 15b
having a smaller particle size is faster. The light diffusion
particle 15 refers to the light diffusion particle 15a and the
light diffusion particle 15b collectively.
[0123] When every light diffusion particle 15 in the microcapsule
11 makes the same motion, change in scattered light by the light
diffusion particle 15 is small. However, when the light diffusion
particle 15 makes random motion, the amount of change in the
scintillation pattern becomes large, and an effective scintillation
reducing effect is expected. Since the particle sizes of the light
diffusion particles 15 are not uniform, a difference arises in the
moving speed of the light diffusion particle 15. The random degree
of the motion of the light diffusion particle 15 is improved, so
that the scintillation can be further reduced.
[0124] Next, a description will be made for the case where the
light diffusion particles 15 are charged in the same charge
likewise the second embodiment, and an AC voltage is applied to the
electrode 16. As shown in FIG. 18, when a DC electric field E is
generated in the x-axis direction, a moving speed V of the light
diffusion particle 15 in the condition that the viscosity
resistance equals the Coulomb force can be represented by the
following mathematical formula (2). Here, electric field is denoted
by E, charge amount of light diffusion particle is denoted by q,
radius of particle is denoted by a, and viscosity of dispersion
medium is denoted by .eta..
[ Mathematical formula 2 ] V = qE 6 .pi..eta. a ( 2 )
##EQU00001##
[0125] From this Mathematical formula (2), it can be seen that the
moving speed V changes with the dimension of the radius a of the
light diffusion particle 15. Since the particle sizes of the light
diffusion particles 15 are not uniform, each of the light diffusion
particle 15 moves at a different moving speed V.
[0126] The most effective motion of the light diffusion particle 15
for removing the scintillation is random motion at a large speed.
In other words, removal of the scintillation is achieved by change
in the scintillation pattern. When the particle moves at a large
speed, the scintillation pattern changes too fast to be recognized
by human eyes. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the
scintillation effectively.
[0127] As shown in FIG. 18, the light diffusion particles 15 having
non-uniform particle sizes are charged in the same charge, to
generate an electric field E. As a result, the motion of the light
diffusion particle 15 is more random and faster than the motion of
the light diffusion particle 15 by the Brownian motion. Therefore,
by applying an AC voltage to the electrode 16, the scintillation
pattern changes faster, and the scintillation reducing effect can
be improved.
[0128] FIG. 19 is a view showing the microcapsule 11 in which the
light diffusion particle 15 having a uniform particle size is
charged with a non-uniform charge amount q. In FIG. 19, the large +
sign represents a large charge amount. The small + sign represents
a small charge amount. From the mathematical formula (2), it can be
seen that it is also effective not to make the charge amount q of
the light diffusion particle 15 uniform for changing the moving
speed V of the light diffusion particle 15. It is possible to
provide difference in the moving speed of the light diffusion
particle 15 even when the particle size of the light diffusion
particle 15 is uniform.
[0129] FIG. 20 shows the microcapsule 11 in which the light
diffusion particle 15 having a non-uniform particle size is charged
with a non-uniform charge amount q. In FIG. 20, the large + sign
represents a large charge amount. The small + sign represents a
small charge amount. When the particle size of the light diffusion
particle 15 is not uniform, a light diffusion particle 15e having a
small particle size is charged with a large charge. And a light
diffusion particle 15f having a large particle size is charged with
a small charge. As a result, it is possible to make the difference
in the moving speed of the light diffusion particle 15 large.
[0130] Also, as shown in FIG. 21, the particle size of the light
diffusion particle 15 in the microcapsule 11 is made uniform. About
half of the particles are positively charged, and the remaining
particles are negatively charged. The number of the positive
particles is substantially the same with the number of the negative
particles. In this case, a dispersant is added. The dispersant
separates between a light diffusion particle 15g and a light
diffusion particle 15h. The light diffusion particle 15g is
positively charged. The light diffusion particle 15h is negatively
charged. Each of the light diffusion particles 15g, 15h does not
aggregate. Some dispersants retain appropriate space by electric
repulsion or steric hindrance. The dispersant used herein has an
affinity group for the light diffusion particles 15g, 15h, and has
a chain having compatibility for the dispersion medium. The
dispersant has a function of steric hindrance.
[0131] With this configuration, when a voltage applied to the
electrode 16, the number of the light diffusion particles 15
traveling toward the electrode 16a is approximately the same with
the number of the light diffusion particles 15 traveling toward the
electrode 16b. Therefore, in comparison with the case where every
light diffusion particle 15 moves in the same direction, the random
degree of the motion of the light diffusion particle 15 is
improved. As a result, the change amount of the scintillation
pattern becomes large, and the scintillation reducing effect can be
improved.
[0132] FIG. 22 is a view showing the microcapsule 11. The particle
size of the light diffusion particle 15 in the microcapsule 11 is
not uniform, and about half of the particles are positively
charged, and the remaining particles are negatively charged. The
number of the positively charged particles is substantially the
same with the number of the negatively charged particles. In FIG.
22, in the microcapsule 11, a positively charged large particle 15i
is contained, a negatively charged large particle 15j is contained,
a positively charged small particle 15k is contained, and a
negatively charged small particle 15m is contained. The numbers of
the light diffusion particles 15i, 15j, 15k, 15m are substantially
the same.
[0133] FIG. 23 shows the microcapsule 11 using both the non-uniform
particle size and the non-uniform charge amount. The charge amount
of a large particle is small, and the charge amount of a small
particle is large. In FIG. 23, in the microcapsule 11, a positively
charged large particle 15p is contained, a negatively charged large
particle 15q is contained, a positively charged small particle 15n
is contained, and a negatively charged small particle 15o is
contained. The numbers of the light diffusion particles 15p, 15q,
15n, 15o are substantially the same. By using both the non-uniform
particle size and the non-uniform charge amount, it is possible to
further improve the scintillation reducing effect.
[0134] Also, as shown in FIG. 24, a light diffusion particle 15r
has a shape similar to that of the light diffusion particle 15 in
the third embodiment. For example, the light diffusion particle 15r
is in a flat spherical, sheet-like, or rod-like shape. The flat
spherical shape is like a convex lens. The light diffusion particle
15r is positively charged at one end, and negatively charged at the
other end. As described above, the dispersant separates between the
light diffusion particles 15. Therefore, the light diffusion
particles 15 will not bind and aggregate. When an AC voltage is
applied to the electrode 16, the light diffusion particle 15r
rotates on the spot. This has an effect similar to that of the case
described in the third embodiment. However, the light diffusion
particle 15r is able to rotate faster, compared with the Brownian
motion. Therefore, the scintillation reducing effect becomes much
larger.
[0135] In other words, a change in the angle of the light diffusion
particle 15r with respect to the projection light 4 occurs. The
light diffusion particle 15r causes a temporal change in the
scattered wave without moving in the microcapsule 11. In an
environment at low temperature, a movement of a molecule of the
dispersion medium 1B is small. Therefore, even in an environment at
low temperature, for example, the screen realizes the effect of
reducing the scintillation. Alternatively, the screen is able to
obtain the effect of removing the scintillation.
[0136] In the manner as described above, the energy required for
movement of the light diffusion particle 15r is suppressed, and
distribution unevenness of the light diffusion particle 15r over
the entire screen is suppressed, so that a screen with reduced
scintillation can be obtained.
[0137] As described above, it is possible to suppress the
scintillation effectively by not making the particle size of the
light diffusion particle 15 uniform. It is possible to suppress the
scintillation effectively by not making the charge amount of the
light diffusion particle 15 uniform. Also, it becomes possible to
reduce the scintillation effectively by mixing positive particles
and negative particles. About half of the particles are positively
charged and the remaining half of the particles are negatively
charged. Also, it becomes possible to reduce the scintillation
effectively by making one particle have both positive and negative
charges. One end of the light diffusion particle 15 is positively
charged and the other end is negatively charged. In the manner as
described above, the energy required for movement of the light
diffusion particle is suppressed, and distribution unevenness of
the light diffusion particle over the entire screen is suppressed,
so that a screen with reduced scintillation can be obtained.
Seventh Embodiment
[0138] In the second embodiment, it has been shown that the light
diffusion particle 15 continues moving reciprocally in the
direction of the light axis upon application of an AC voltage to
the electrodes 16a, 16b. In the seventh embodiment, a detailed
description will be made for the temporal change in the voltage
applied to the electrode 16. FIG. 25(A) shows voltage waveforms in
the cases where the temporal change in voltage are a rectangular
wave and a sine wave. FIG. 25(B) shows a moving speed of the light
diffusion particle 15 in correspondence with the temporal change in
voltage in FIG. 25(A). The solid line in FIG. 25(B) represents a
particle speed when the voltage represented by the solid line in
FIG. 25(A) is applied. In other words, the voltage is applied in a
rectangular wave form. The broken line in FIG. 25(B) represents a
particle speed when the voltage represented by the broken line in
FIG. 25(A) is applied. In other words, the voltage is applied in a
sine wave form. The vertical axis of FIG. 25(A) represents voltage
[V] applied to the electrode 16, and the horizontal axis represents
time [msec]. The vertical axis of FIG. 25(B) represents moving
speed [.mu.m/sec] of the light diffusion particle 15, and the
horizontal axis represents time [msec].
[0139] As shown in FIG. 25(B), as for the moving speed of the light
diffusion particle 15 corresponding to the temporal change in
voltage, the moving speed of the particle becomes constant in a
shorter time by the rectangular wave. In the sine wave, the moving
speed of the particle approximates a sine wave. As for the moving
speed of the light diffusion particle 15, the change in the moving
speed becomes a form approximate to a rectangular wave by the
voltage of the rectangular wave. In other words, in the moving
speed of the light diffusion particle 15, when a voltage of a
rectangular wave is applied, the moving speed of the particle
becomes constant in a short time. As for the moving speed of the
light diffusion particle 15, the change in the moving speed becomes
a form approximate to a sine wave by the voltage of the sine wave.
From the foregoing, in a sine wave, at the time of reversion of the
sign of the voltage, the moving speed of the light diffusion
particle 15 decreases, and hence the absolute value of the moving
speed becomes small. In other words, in association with the
decrease in the moving speed of the light diffusion particle 15,
the change in the scintillation pattern becomes slow. Therefore,
the scintillation is easily recognized by the viewer 9. Next, the
case where the voltage waveform is a rectangular wave will be
discussed. Upon reversion of the sign of the voltage, the light
diffusion particle 15 starts moving in the opposite direction.
However, the absolute value of the particle speed of the light
diffusion particle 15 peaks in a short time. Accordingly, the
scintillation pattern changes fast in terms of time. The
scintillation is difficult to be recognized by the viewer 9 even
when the sign of the voltage changes.
[0140] By applying a voltage of a rectangular wave to the
electrodes 16a, 16b, the light diffusion particle 15 is able to
move while suppressing the decrease in the speed at the time of
reversion. As a result, the scintillation is difficult to be
recognized by the viewer 9 even when the traveling direction of the
light diffusion particle 15 changes. In the manner as described
above, the energy required for movement of the light diffusion
particle 15 is suppressed, and distribution unevenness of the light
diffusion particle 15 over the entire screen is suppressed, so that
a screen with reduced scintillation can be obtained.
Eighth Embodiment
[0141] In the eighth embodiment, a temporal change in the voltage
applied to the electrodes 16a, 16b will be described. At the time
of reversion of the voltage, the moving speed of the light
diffusion particle 15 decreases. In the seventh embodiment,
description has been made for the temporal change in voltage that
shortens the time in which the moving speed of the light diffusion
particle 15 decreases. In the eighth embodiment, a method of
further shortening this time will be described. FIG. 26(A) shows a
temporal change in the voltage proposed in the eighth embodiment.
FIG. 26(B) shows a temporal change in the moving speed of the light
diffusion particle 15 corresponding to FIG. 26(A). FIG. 26(B)
represents the case of the voltage waveform shown in FIG. 26(A) by
a solid line. Also, the case of the rectangular waveform shown in
the seventh embodiment is represented by a broken line. The
vertical axis of FIG. 26(A) represents voltage [V] applied to the
electrode 16. The horizontal axis represents time [msec]. The
vertical axis of FIG. 26(B) represents moving speed [.mu.m/sec] of
the light diffusion particle 15. The horizontal axis represents
time [msec].
[0142] As shown in FIG. 26(A), a large voltage is applied so that
the absolute value of the voltage temporarily has a maximum value
at the time of reversion of the voltage. In other words, the
voltage is applied alternately in the positive direction and the
negative direction. For example, the period when the voltage is
applied in the positive direction will be discussed. The voltage is
set to be maximum when the direction of the applied voltage is
reversed to the positive direction. In FIG. 26(A), the applied
voltage at this time is about 130 [V]. The usual applied voltage is
50 [V]. At this time, it is most effective to apply the largest
voltage. That is, it is most effective to apply the largest
possible voltage. As a result, the temporal change in the moving
speed of the light diffusion particle 15 becomes a waveform as
represented by the solid line in FIG. 26(B). The waveform
represented by the broken line shows the case where the voltage is
applied in a rectangular wave shown in the seventh embodiment. In
comparison with the waveform of the broken line, the waveform of
the solid line shows that the speed of the particle of the light
diffusion particle 15 is reversed in a short time. The waveform of
the solid line shows that the speed of the particle of the light
diffusion particle 15 reaches the peak speed in a short time.
[0143] A large voltage is applied so that the absolute value of the
voltage temporarily has a maximum value at the time of reversion of
the applied voltage. The maximum value refers to the largest value
within the range of the applied voltage. In the seventh embodiment,
the scintillation that is likely to occur at the time of reversion
of the applied voltage has been described. The situation where the
scintillation is easily recognized can be made to last in a shorter
time. In other words, it is possible to speed up the scintillation
pattern change. As a result, even at the time of reversion of the
voltage, the scintillation is difficult to be recognized by the
viewer 9. Accordingly, the energy required for movement of the
light diffusion particle 15 is suppressed, and distribution
unevenness of the light diffusion particle 15 over the entire
screen is suppressed, so that a screen with reduced scintillation
can be obtained.
Ninth Embodiment
[0144] In the ninth embodiment, a field sequential system is
employed as a color display format of a video signal. The voltage
is applied to the electrode 16. In the ninth embodiment, a timing
of reversion of the applied voltage will be described.
[0145] The field sequential system is a system that displays a
desired color by displaying a color display format of a video
signal by temporally dividing into RGB. R represents red, G
represents green, and B represents blue. On the other hand, the
scintillations of red R and blue B are difficult to be recognized,
in comparison with green G. In other words, the scintillation of
green G is more easily recognized than those of the other
colors.
[0146] FIG. 27 is a view showing a timing of switching the polarity
of the electrodes 16a, 16b. FIG. 27(A) shows a timing of switching
the polarity of the electrodes 16a, 16b for the times when red R,
blue B and green G are displayed. In FIG. 27(A), the horizontal
axis represents time [msec], and the vertical axis represents
voltage [V] applied to the electrodes 16a, 16b. FIG. 27(B) shows
time ranges for displaying respective colors given for ease of
understanding. In FIG. 27(B), the horizontal axis represents time
[msec]. Time B represents a time when red R and blue B are
displayed.
[0147] As shown in FIG. 27, the applied voltage is reversed in the
timing when an image of red R or blue B is displayed. This is
because the scintillation of red R and blue B is difficult to be
recognized. As a result, the situation that the viewer 9 easily
recognizes the scintillation due to decrease in the moving speed of
the light diffusion particle 15 can be prevented. Reversion of the
applied voltage may be executed in the timing when no color is
displayed. FIG. 28 is a view showing a timing of switching the
polarity of the electrodes 16a, 16b. FIG. 28(A) shows a timing of
switching the polarity of the electrodes 16a, 16b for the times
when red R, blue B and green G are displayed. In FIG. 28(A), the
horizontal axis represents time [msec], and the vertical axis
represents voltage [V] applied to the electrodes 16a, 16b. FIG.
28(B) shows time ranges for displaying respective colors provided
for ease of understanding. In FIG. 28(B), the horizontal axis
represents time [msec]. The field sequential system is a system for
sequentially displaying images of three colors. Therefore, in the
field sequential system, there is a time when no video image is
displayed between each images. Time C is a time where non video
image is displayed. In this manner, the situation that the viewer 9
easily recognizes the scintillation due to decrease in the moving
speed of the light diffusion particle 15 can be prevented.
[0148] From the above, the energy required for movement of the
light diffusion particle 15 is suppressed, and distribution
unevenness of the light diffusion particle 15 over the entire
screen is suppressed, so that a screen with reduced scintillation
that is recognizable by the viewer 9 can be obtained.
Tenth Embodiment
[0149] A video image display system shown in the tenth embodiment
is a laser scan system. In the tenth embodiment, a timing of
reversion of the voltage applied to the electrode 16 will be
described.
[0150] The laser scan system is a system that displays a video
image by adjusting laser light to a brightness level of a video
signal, and raster scanning a drawing region M on the screen with
laser light as shown in FIG. 29. As shown in FIG. 29, in the laser
scan system, the drawing region M on the screen is raster scanned
with laser light. At this time, the light amount of the laser beam
is adjusted to the brightness level of the video signal. In this
manner, the video image is displayed on the screen. The raster
scanning scans a horizontal scanning line at high speed from the
upper left to the lower right of the screen. The raster scanning is
used as a scanning system in a number of displays for computers. In
FIG. 29, the scanning direction of the laser light is represented
by a line with an arrow. The laser light scans by reciprocal motion
in the horizontal direction of the drawing region M. This scan is
conducted from a scan start position St on the upper side toward a
drawing end position Ed on the lower side. The vertical direction
and the horizontal direction are directions shown in FIG. 29.
[0151] In this system, the laser light scans the entire drawing
region M from the scan start position St. Thereafter, the laser
light returns to the start position St again. Then, the laser light
starts scanning. Therefore, during the period of a flyback period L
represented by the broken line in FIG. 29, no video image is
displayed on the screen. The flyback period L is a period of
returning to the start position St from the drawing end position
Ed. During this flyback period L, an applied voltage is reversed.
As a result, the situation that the viewer 9 easily recognizes the
scintillation due to decrease in the moving speed of the light
diffusion particle 15 can be prevented.
[0152] From the above, the energy required for movement of the
light diffusion particle 15 is suppressed, and distribution
unevenness of the light diffusion particle 15 over the entire
screen is suppressed, so that a screen with reduced scintillation
can be obtained.
Eleventh Embodiment
[0153] In the eleventh embodiment, as shown in FIG. 30, the charge
sign of the light diffusion particle 15 differs for each
microcapsule 11. The light diffusion particle 15 is included in the
microcapsule 11. The constituent that is identical to the
constituent of FIG. 19 is denoted by the same reference numeral,
and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0154] The sign of charge of the light diffusion particle 15
differs for each microcapsule 11. For example, a positive voltage
is applied to the electrode 16a, and a negative voltage is applied
to the electrode 16b. The positively charged light diffusion
particle 15g moves toward the negative electrode 16b. The
negatively charged light diffusion particle 15h moves toward the
positive electrode 16a.
[0155] In this manner, as the light diffusion particle 15g and the
light diffusion particle 15h move in different directions, the
scintillation pattern changes more complicatedly, and the
scintillation can be reduced effectively.
[0156] From the above, the energy required for movement of the
light diffusion particle 15 is suppressed, and distribution
unevenness of the light diffusion particle 15 over the entire
screen is suppressed, so that a screen with reduced scintillation
that is recognizable by the viewer 9 can be obtained.
Twelfth Embodiment
[0157] The light diffusion particle 15 of the microcapsule 11 shown
in each of the aforementioned embodiments is charged. The charge
amount of the light diffusion particle 15 of the microcapsule 11
according to the present twelfth embodiment is negligibly small. On
the other hand, a charged substance 1C is charged. The constituent
that is identical to the constituent of FIG. 6 and FIG. 18 is
denoted by the same reference numeral, and the description thereof
will be omitted.
[0158] In each of the aforementioned embodiments, the electric
field E is applied in the direction perpendicular to the plane of
the screen. Therefore, the charged light diffusion particle 15
moves in the direction approximately perpendicular to the plane of
the screen. In other words, the light diffusion particle 15 moves
approximately parallel with the incidence direction of the
projection light 4. Also, the light diffusion particle 15 moves
approximately parallel with the direction of the line of sight of
the viewer 9.
[0159] In this case, a moving distance of a light scattering
position is not more than the diameter of the microcapsule 11. As
described above, the diameter of the microcapsule 11 is about 200
micrometers. Even when the light scattering position moves by about
200 micrometers in the direction of the line of sight of the viewer
9, the change in the light scattering direction is small.
Therefore, the change in the scintillation pattern is small.
[0160] On the other hand, when the light diffusion particle 15
moves in the diagonal direction or in the horizontal direction with
respect to the plane of the screen, the scintillation pattern
changes complicatedly. In this case, the change in the
scintillation pattern is large.
[0161] FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 are configuration diagrams showing a
configuration of the microcapsule 11. As shown in FIG. 31 and FIG.
32, in the present twelfth embodiment, the light diffusion particle
15 and the charged substance 1C are encapsulated in the
microcapsule 11. An optical influence of the charged substance 1C
is sufficiently small. In other words, a refractive index of the
charged substance 1C is close to a refractive index of the
dispersion medium 1B. Therefore, the charged substance 1C is a
substance that does not optically influence. Also, the charged
substance 1C is a particle or a liquid. The charged substance 1C is
a particle charged in advance. Alternatively, the charged substance
1C is an ionic surfactant. Therefore, the charged substance 1C
exists as a transparent charged substance in the microcapsule
11.
[0162] The mathematical formula (2) shows a relationship between
the radius of particle a, the electric field E and the moving speed
V. The moving speed V is a moving speed of the charged particle 1C
when a voltage is applied. As shown in FIG. 31, when the charged
substance 1C is a particle, the moving speed V becomes large by
making the radius of particle a small. As shown in FIG. 32, when
the charged substance 1C is an ionic surfactant, a plurality of the
charged substances 1C gather, and the charged substances 1C form a
micelle 1F. When the dispersion medium 1B is a nonpolar solvent,
the micelle 1F makes a hydrophilic part 1D face inside. Then, the
micelle 1F makes a lipophilic part 1E face outside. The hydrophilic
part 1D of the charged substance 1C is negatively charged.
Therefore, the micelle 1F behaves as if it is a negatively charged
particle. Then, the micelle moves toward the electrode of the
positive side when an electric field is generated.
[0163] The charged substance 1C moves when the electric field E is
applied. The size of the micelle 1F is about several nanometers.
Since the micelle 1F is sufficiently small, the moving speed V is
large. That is, in comparison with the light diffusion particle 15,
the charged substance 1C moves at a sufficiently large speed. The
movement of the charged substance 1C generates convection of the
dispersion medium 1B. As a result, by the convection of the
dispersion medium 1B, the light diffusion particle 15 moves
randomly. The random movement includes not only the movement in the
direction perpendicular to the electric field E but also the
movement in other directions.
[0164] In the screen according to the present twelfth embodiment,
the electric field E is applied in the direction perpendicular to
the plane of the screen. However, the light diffusion particle 15
moves in the diagonal direction or the horizontal direction with
respect to the plane of the screen. That is, the light diffusion
particle 15 moves more randomly in comparison with the case of
reciprocating in the direction of the electric field E. As a
result, the scintillation pattern changes complicatedly, so that
the scintillation can be reduced effectively.
Thirteenth Embodiment
[0165] In each of the aforementioned embodiments, the microcapsule
11 has the light diffusion particle 15 in a capsule. Also, the
microcapsule 11 has the dispersion medium 1B in a capsule. The
light diffusion particle 15 has a function of refracting the
projection light 4. In the present fourteenth embodiment, the
microcapsule 11 has at least two kinds of inclusion liquids 1G. The
interface between the two kinds of inclusion liquids 1G, 1G2 has a
function of refracting the projection light 4. The constituent that
is identical to the constituent of FIG. 6 and FIG. 18 is denoted by
the same reference numeral, and the description thereof will be
omitted.
[0166] FIG. 33 shows the microcapsule 11 having two or more kinds
of inclusion liquids 1G in the capsule. FIG. 33(A) shows the case
of two kinds of inclusion liquids 1G1, 1G2. FIG. 33(B) shows the
case of four kinds of inclusion liquids 1G1, 1G2, 1G3, 1G4. The
plurality of inclusion liquids 1G1, 1G2, 1G3, 1G4 have properties
that they do not mix with each other. The plurality of inclusion
liquids 1G1, 1G2, 1G3, 1G4 have different refractive indexes. That
is, there is always an interface between the plurality of inclusion
liquids 1G1, 1G2, 1G3, 1G4. The interface is a boundary face
between two substances. Since the inclusion liquids 1G1, 1G2, 1G3,
1G4 are liquid, the shape of interface between the plurality of
inclusion liquids 1G1, 1G2, 1G3, 1G4 easily changes. Therefore, the
projection light 4 is refracted at such an interface and scattered,
and the scattered pattern also changes. In FIG. 33, the inclusion
liquids 1G1, 1G2, 1G3, 1G4 have electric charges. However, even
when the inclusion liquids 1G1, 1G2, 1G3, 1G4 do not have electric
charges, a temporal change in interface occurs when heat is added
to the microcapsule. When oscillation is added to the microcapsule,
a temporary change in interface occurs.
[0167] Further, the inclusion liquids 1G1, 1G3 have different
electric charges from those of the inclusion liquids 1G2, 1G4. In
the present thirteenth embodiment, the inclusion liquids 1G1, 103
are positively charged, and 1G2, 1G4 are negatively charged. When
an electric field is applied to the microcapsule 11, each of the
inclusion liquids 1G1, 1G2, 1G3, 1G4 moves in the direction of the
electric field. The positively charged inclusion liquids 1G1, 1G3
move toward the negative electrode. The negatively charged
inclusion liquids 1G2, 1G4 move toward the positive electrode. As a
result, the shape of the interface of the inclusion liquids 1G1,
1G2, 1G3, 1G4 changes. Accordingly, the light scattering
characteristic changes, and the scintillation pattern changes. By
rapidly switching the direction of the electric filed, it is
possible to make the speed of changing the scintillation pattern
sufficiently fast. By the temporal change in the electric field, it
is possible to reduce the scintillation effectively.
[0168] Not every inclusion liquid 1G needs to have an electric
charge. The light diffusing effect can be obtained as far as part
of the inclusion liquid 1G has an electric charge. As one exemplary
case, the inclusion liquid 1G1 has a positive charge, and the
inclusion liquid 1G2 does not have a charge in FIG. 33(A). The
inclusion liquid 1G1 moves in the microcapsule 11 by an electric
field. The inclusion liquid 1G2 does not mix with the inclusion
liquid 101. Therefore, the inclusion liquid 1G2 moves in the
direction opposite to the inclusion liquid 1G1.
[0169] The aforementioned inclusion liquid 1G does not contain the
light diffusion particle 15. However, as shown in FIG. 34, when the
inclusion liquid 1G contains the light diffusion particle 15, the
microcapsule 11 is able to further scatter the light. By the
temporal movement of the inclusion liquid 1G, the light diffusion
particle 15 temporally moves. The light diffusion particle 15
scatters the projection light 4. As a result, it is possible to
make the temporal change in the scintillation pattern large.
Accordingly, the screen is able to reduce the scintillation more
effectively.
[0170] As shown in FIG. 35, the light diffusion particle 15 is made
up of two kinds of particles having different sizes. The light
diffusion particle 15a is a large particle. The light diffusion
particle 15b is a small particle. The movement of the light
diffusion particle 15a is slow, and the movement of the light
diffusion particle 15b is fast. By the difference in speed of the
light diffusion particle 15, it is possible to make the temporal
change in the scintillation pattern large. Accordingly, the screen
is able to reduce the scintillation more effectively.
[0171] FIG. 36 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of the microcapsule 11 in the thirteenth embodiment. As shown in
FIG. 36, the light diffusion particle 15 is formed from a flat
non-spherical particle like a convex lens. The light diffusion
particle 15 is able to change its posture by motion of the molecule
of the inclusion liquid 1G without changing its position in the
microcapsule 11. As a result, the angle of the light diffusion
particle 15 with respect to the projection light 4 changes. The
light diffusion particle 15 is able to generate a temporal change
in the scattered wave without changing its position in the
microcapsule 11. Even when the motion of the inclusion liquid 1G is
slow, the non-spherical light diffusion particle 15 is able to
reduce the scintillation. Also, in an environment at low
temperature, the non-spherical light diffusion particle 15 is able
to reduce the scintillation. Alternatively, even in an environment
at low temperature, the non-spherical light diffusion particle 15
is able to remove the scintillation. By varying the size of the
light diffusion particle 15 as described above, it is possible to
further reduce the scintillation.
Fourteenth Embodiment
[0172] In each of the aforementioned embodiments, the microcapsule
11 is disposed between the Fresnel lens 18 and the lenticular lens
23. In the present fourteenth embodiment, the microcapsule 11 is
disposed on the side of the viewer 9 of the lenticular lens 23.
FIG. 37 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of the
section of the screen viewed from above. The constituent that is
identical to the constituent of FIG. 3, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 is
denoted by the same reference numeral, and the description thereof
will be omitted.
[0173] As shown in FIG. 37, the microcapsule 11 is disposed on the
side of the viewer 9 of the lenticular lens 23. In this case, the
black stripe 24 neighbors the electrode 16a. The light diffusion
plate 1 may be fixed to the light diffusion plate 2 to form a
single component. In other words, the light diffusion plate 2 has a
function of causing a temporal change in the scattered light.
[0174] As shown in FIG. 7(B), the black stripe 24 is disposed on
the side of the viewer 9 of the supporting sheet part 21. The black
stripe 24 absorbs the light reflected on a lens surface of the
lenticular lens 23. Alternatively, the black stripe 24 reflects the
light reflected on a lens surface of the lenticular lens 23. The
black stripe 24 does not emit external unnecessary light ray 5 on
the side of the viewer 9. As a result, it is possible to prevent
the contrast from decreasing. Here, the lenticular lens 23 is
formed in the vertical direction so as to widen the viewing angle
in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the black stripe 24 is
provided similarly in the vertical direction. That is, the black
stripe 24 is provided on a display surface of the screen. The black
stripe 24 shields part of the projection light 4.
[0175] In each of the aforementioned embodiments, the second light
diffusion particle 22 is contained in the second light diffusion
plate 2. However, in a screen 160 shown in FIG. 37, the second
light diffusion particle 22 is contained in the Fresnel lens 18.
Preferably, the second light diffusion particle 22 is not contained
in a lens part of the Fresnel lens 18. The second light diffusion
particle 22 is not contained in the second light diffusion plate
2.
[0176] On the other hand, regarding the electrode 16, there is a
case that the electrode 16 itself is transparent. Also, there is a
case that the electrode 16 is so fine that the screen looks
transparent. Regardless of selection of either case, the
transmittance is decreased by the electrode 16.
[0177] As shown in FIG. 37, the light diffusion plate 1 is disposed
on the side of the viewer 9 of the black stripe 24. The external
light 5 enters the screen 160 from the side of the viewer 9.
Thereafter, the external light 5 is absorbed in the black stripe
24. However, part of the external light 5 is scattered on the light
diffusion plate 1 and returns to the side of the viewer 9.
Therefore, the configuration shown in FIG. 37 slightly reduces the
contrast.
[0178] On the other hand, the projection light 4 is refracted by
the lenticular lens 23. Then, the light flux of the projection
light 4 is thinned and the projection light 4 passes through the
black stripe 23. Therefore, the projection light 4 is difficult to
be absorbed by the black stripe 24. Therefore, this configuration
can ensure the brightness of the video image. Therefore, the
aforementioned configuration is desired for obtaining brightness of
the video image although the contrast slightly decreases.
[0179] FIG. 38 shows a configuration different from the
aforementioned configuration. It is the case that the light
diffusion plate 1 is disposed on the side of the projector of the
black stripe 24. The side of the projector means the side where the
projection light 4 enters the screen. In this configuration, the
factor of decreasing the contrast as described above is excluded.
However, part of the projection light 4 scattered by the light
diffusion plate 1 cannot pass through the black stripe 24. Then,
part of the projection light 4 is absorbed by the black stripe 24.
Therefore, the brightness of the video image decreases.
Accordingly, this configuration can be employed for obtaining high
contrast although the brightness of the video image decreases.
[0180] In a screen 161 shown in FIG. 38, the second light diffusion
particle 22 is contained in the Fresnel lens 18. Preferably, the
second light diffusion particle 22 is not contained in a lens part
of the Fresnel lens 18. The second light diffusion particle 22 is
not contained in the second light diffusion plate 2. The black
stripe 24 is formed in a supporting sheet 26. The supporting sheet
26 does not contain the second light diffusion particle 22. As
shown in FIG. 38, the black stripe 24 is formed in the supporting
sheet 26. However, the black stripe 24 may be formed in the
electrode 16a. In such a case, the supporting sheet 26 is not
used.
[0181] As shown in FIG. 39, the electrode 16a on the side of the
black stripe 24 is disposed in the position where it overlaps the
black stripe 24. In this manner, it is possible to prevent the
transmittance from decreasing by the electrode 16a. As described
above, the projection light 4 is refracted by the lenticular lens
23. Then, the light flux of the projection light 4 is thinned and
the projection light 4 passes through the black stripe 23.
Accordingly, the projection light 4 passes through the electrode
16a. Accordingly, decrease in the transmittance by the electrode
16a is reduced. As a result, it becomes possible to minimize the
light shielding area. The light shielding area is an area of the
black stripe 24. However, the projection light 4 passes through the
black stripe 24. Therefore, the light shielding area is smaller
than the area of the black stripe 24. And the brightness of the
screen can be ensured. Further, by activating the motion of the
light diffusion particle 15, the scintillation can be reduced
effectively. In a screen 162 shown in FIG. 39, the second light
diffusion particle 22 is contained in the Fresnel lens 18.
Preferably, the second light diffusion particle 22 is not contained
in a lens part of the Fresnel lens 18. The second light diffusion
particle 22 is not contained in the second light diffusion plate
2.
Fifteenth Embodiment
[0182] In the fourteenth embodiment, the black stripe 24 is a
component separate from the electrode 16a. In the present fifteenth
embodiment, the black stripe 24 has a function of the electrode
16a. FIG. 40 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of
a screen 163. FIG. 41 is a configuration diagram of the structure
of the electrode viewed from the front direction. The constituent
that is identical to the constituent shown in FIG. 36, FIG. 37,
FIG. 38 and FIG. 39 is denoted by the same reference numeral, and
the description thereof will be omitted.
[0183] In the screen 163 shown in FIG. 40, the second light
diffusion particle 22 is contained in the Fresnel lens 18.
Preferably, the second light diffusion particle 22 is not contained
in a lens part of the Fresnel lens 18. The second light diffusion
particle 22 is not contained in the second light diffusion plate
2.
[0184] Since the black stripe 24 has a function of the electrode
16a, the black stripe 24 is made of a conductive material.
Therefore, the electrode 16a is not used. A voltage is applied to
the black stripe 24 and the electrode 16b.
[0185] The black stripe 24 is disposed in the longitudinal
direction of the screen. In an effective area of the screen, each
black stripe 24 is not connected. Therefore, each black stripe 24
is electrically connected outside the effective area of the screen.
The black stripe 24 is connected to the neighboring black stripe.
The material of a connecting part 25 may be the same with the
material of the black stripe 24. The material of the connecting
part may be different from the material of the black stripe 24. In
other words, for the connecting part 25, a transparent material may
be used.
[0186] In the screen 163 according to the present fifteenth
embodiment, since the electrode 16b is the only transparent
electrode, transmittance of the screen 163 improves. Further, since
the electrode 16b is the only transparent electrode, the
configuration of the screen 163 is simplified, and reduction in the
cost can be achieved. The screen 163 according to the present
fifteenth embodiment is low in cost.
[0187] In the screen 162 according to the fourteenth embodiment, it
is necessary to align the position of the electrode 16a with the
position of the black stripe 24. However, in the screen 163
according to the present fifteenth embodiment, the black stripe 24
has a function of an electrode. Therefore, an operation of aligning
the position of the electrode 16a with the position of the black
stripe 24 is not necessary. Therefore, assemblability of the screen
163 improves. In addition, the screen 163 according to the present
fifteenth embodiment is able to reduce the scintillation
effectively by suppressing decrease in transmittance.
Sixteenth Embodiment
[0188] The screen according to each of the aforementioned
embodiments retains the dispersion liquid 14 on the screen using
the microcapsule 11. The dispersion liquid 14 is made up of the
light diffusion particle 15 and the dispersion medium 1B. In the
present sixteenth embodiment, a plurality of cells 11a are arranged
on the screen. That is, the cells 11a are arranged in a grid
pattern. The cell 11a has therein the dispersion liquid 14.
[0189] FIG. 42 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of a section of the cells 11a. FIG. 43 is a configuration diagram
showing a configuration of the cells 11a viewed from a diagonal
direction. In a cell separated by a wall material, the dispersion
liquid 14 is enclosed. The dispersion liquid 14 is made up of the
light diffusion particle 15 and the dispersion medium 1B. Between
the electrode 16a and the electrode 16b, the cell 11a is disposed.
The size of the cell 11a is such that one side of the grid is about
100 .mu.m. The depth of the cells 11a ranges from about 10 .mu.m to
about 200 .mu.m.
[0190] For example, a transparent conductive base material may be
obtained by forming a transparent conductive film on a plastic base
material. The cells 11a are formed by embossing a plastic base
material. Embossing is a process of transferring a shape by
pressing a roller or the like. The roller has a concavo-convex
shape on its surface. This concavo-convex shape is transferred to
the conductive base material.
[0191] The light diffusion layer 10 is a layer retaining a light
diffusion liquid. Therefore, in the case where a cell is formed in
the supporting sheet 12, the light diffusion layer 10 is made up of
the supporting sheet 12, a component having a function of a lid,
and a light diffusion liquid. On the other hand, in the case where
a cell is formed in the electrode 16, the light diffusion layer 10
is made up of the electrode 16, a component having a function of a
lid, and a light diffusion liquid. The light diffusion liquid is
the dispersion liquid 14, and is the dispersion liquid 14 having
the charged substance 1C, such as the inclusion liquid 1G.
[0192] In FIG. 42, the electrode 16a is formed on the bottom face
on the side of the supporting sheet of the cell 11a. The electrodes
16a of the cells 11a are connected with each other by their parts.
The cells 11a are electrically connected with each other.
[0193] As shown in FIG. 43, the electrode 16a is formed on the
supporting sheet 12. The shape of the cell 11a is transferred onto
the supporting sheet 12 by embossing. The cell 11a is charged with
a dispersion liquid 14. Then, the electrode 16b is placed on the
cell 11a. The electrode 16b is adhered to the supporting sheet 12.
As a result, the cells 11a are hermetically sealed.
[0194] As shown in FIG. 6, the light diffusion particle 15 charged
into the cell 11a may be spherical. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the
light diffusion particle 15 may be a flat non-spherical particle
such as a convex lens. Also, as shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the
light diffusion particles 15 may be particles having different
sizes and charged in the same sign. Also, as shown in FIG. 19, the
light diffusion particles 15 may be particles having the same size,
and having different charge amounts in the same sign. Also, as
shown in FIG. 20, the light diffusion particles 15 may be particles
having different sizes, and having different charge amounts in the
same sign. Also, as shown in FIG. 21, the light diffusion particles
15 may be particles having the same size and charged in different
signs. Also, as shown in FIG. 22, the light diffusion particles 15
may be particles having different sizes and charged in different
signs. Also, as shown in FIG. 23, the light diffusion particles 15
may be particles having different sizes and having different charge
amounts in different signs. Also, as shown in FIG. 24, the light
diffusion particle 15 may be a flat non-spherical charged particle
such as a convex lens. Also, as shown in FIG. 30, the particles may
be charged in different signs for each cell 11a as a unit. That is,
the light diffusion particles 15 in the cell 11a are charged in the
same sign. However, they are charged in a sign different from that
in other cell 11a.
[0195] As shown in FIG. 31 and FIG. 32, the light diffusion
particle 15 and the charged substance 1C may be enclosed in the
cell 11a. Also, as shown in FIG. 33, the inclusion liquid 1G may be
enclosed in the cell 11a. Also, as shown in FIG. 34, the inclusion
liquid 1G and the light diffusion particle 15 may be enclosed in
the cell 11a. Also, as shown in FIG. 35, the inclusion liquid 1G
and the light diffusion particles 15a, 15b having different sizes
may be enclosed in the cell 11a. Also, as shown in FIG. 36, the
inclusion liquid 1G and the light diffusion particle 15 in the
shape of a convex lens may be enclosed in the cell 11a. The convex
lens shape is a flat non-spherical shape like a convex lens. Also,
the microcapsule 11 shown in the fourteenth embodiment may be such
that the sizes of the light diffusion particles 15 in the shape of
a convex lens are different as shown in FIG. 44. In this case, when
the inclusion liquid 1G moves, motion of a small light diffusion
particle 15s and motion of a large light diffusion particle 15t
differ from each other. Therefore, a temporal change in the
scattered wave of the projection light 4 occurs randomly. As a
result, it is possible to further reduce the scintillation. In the
present sixteenth embodiment, the light diffusion particles 15s,
15t shown in FIG. 44 may also be employed. In this case as well,
motion of the small light diffusion particle 15s and motion of the
large light diffusion particle 15t differ from each other.
Accordingly, a temporal change in the scattered wave of the
projection light 4 occurs randomly. As a result, it is possible to
further reduce the scintillation.
[0196] As shown in the second embodiment, a voltage applied to the
electrode 16 may be an AC voltage. Also, as shown in the seventh
embodiment, a voltage of a rectangular wave may be applied to the
electrodes 16a, 16b. As a result, the light diffusion particle 15
is able to move while suppressing decrease in speed at the time of
reversion. Also, as shown in the eighth embodiment, a large voltage
may be applied so that the absolute value of the voltage
temporarily has a maximum value at the time when the applied
voltage reverses. As a result, even at the time of reversion of the
voltage, the scintillation is difficult to be recognized by the
viewer 9. Also, as shown in the ninth embodiment, the applied
voltage is reversed in the timing where an image of red R or blue B
is displayed. As a result, the situation that the viewer 9 easily
recognizes the scintillation due to the decrease in the moving
speed of the light diffusion particle 15 can be avoided.
[0197] As shown in the nineteenth embodiment, the light diffusion
plate 2 may be used in place of the electrode 16b. In this case, as
shown in FIG. 40 and FIG. 41, the black stripe 24 of the light
diffusion plate 2 may be used as an electrode.
[0198] As shown in the fourth embodiment, it is possible to prepare
a reflection type screen using the light diffusion plate 1 using
the configuration of the cell 11a. FIG. 45 is a configuration
diagram showing a configuration of a reflection type screen 170.
The light diffusion layer 10 is made up of the electrodes 16a, 16b
and the dispersion liquid 14. The light diffusion plate 1 is made
up of the light diffusion layer 10 and the supporting sheet 12. On
the surface of the supporting sheet 12, the light diffusion part 19
is formed. The light diffusion part 19 is formed on the side of the
electrode 16a. The power source 17 is attached on the side of the
ceiling so as to facilitate storage of the screen 170.
[0199] By forming a cell structure on the screen 170, it is
possible to realize a screen with no concentration unevenness of
the light diffusion particle 15. As a result, the screen 170 is
able to reduce the scintillation to remove any unevenness.
Seventeenth Embodiment
[0200] The screen according to each of the aforementioned
embodiments has a planar shape. The screen according to the present
seventeenth embodiment is in the shape of a curved surface. FIG. 46
is a configuration diagram of a screen in the shape of a curved
surface using the microcapsule 11. FIG. 47 is a configuration
diagram of a screen in the shape of a curved surface using the cell
11a. The constituent that is identical to the constituent shown in
FIG. 2, FIG. 9 and FIG. 45 is denoted by the same reference
numeral, and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0201] As shown in FIG. 46, the supporting sheet 12 has a shape of
a curved surface. The supporting sheet 12 is formed with the
transparent electrode 16b on the side of the viewer 9. The
microcapsule 11 is attached to the electrode 16b on the side of the
viewer 9. For fixing of the microcapsule 11, the binder material 1A
is used. On the side of the view 9 of the microcapsule 11, the
electrode 16a is attached.
[0202] The projector 31 is disposed on the side of the supporting
sheet 12. The projection light 4 enters from the supporting sheet
12. Thereafter, the projection light 4 passes through the electrode
16b. Then, the projection light 4 passes through the microcapsule
11. Then, the projection light 4 is emitted from the electrode
16a.
[0203] The dispersion liquid 14 may be encapsulated in the
microcapsule 11. Also, as shown in the twelfth embodiment, the
charged substance 1C may be encapsulated in the microcapsule 11.
Also, the light diffusion particle 15 and the charged substance 1C
may be encapsulated in the microcapsule 11. Also, as shown in the
thirteenth embodiment, the inclusion liquid 1G may be encapsulated
in the microcapsule 11. The light diffusion particle 15 and the
inclusion liquid 1G may be encapsulated in the microcapsule 11.
[0204] The microcapsule 11 can be easily attached even when the
surface of the supporting sheet 12 is a curved surface. The
dispersion liquid 16 can move only in the microcapsule 11.
Therefore, occurrence of concentration unevenness of the light
diffusion particle 15 on the screen is suppressed. Further,
occurrence of concentration unevenness of the charged substance 1C
on the screen is suppressed. Further, occurrence of concentration
unevenness of the inclusion liquid 1G on the screen is
suppressed.
[0205] The energy required for movement of the light diffusion
particle 15 is suppressed and distribution unevenness of the light
diffusion particle 15 over the entire screen is suppressed, so that
a screen with reduced scintillation recognizable by the viewer 9
can be obtained. Also, the energy required for movement of the
charged substance 1C is suppressed, and distribution unevenness of
the charged substance 1C over the entire screen is suppressed, so
that a screen with reduced scintillation recognizable by the viewer
9 can be obtained. Also, the energy required for movement of the
inclusion liquid 1G is suppressed, and distribution unevenness of
the inclusion liquid 1G over the entire screen is suppressed, so
that a screen with reduced scintillation recognizable by the viewer
9 can be obtained.
[0206] As shown in FIG. 47, the supporting sheet 12 has a shape of
a curved surface. The supporting sheet 12 is formed with the
transparent electrode 16b on the surface of the side of the viewer
9. The cell 11a is formed on the side of the viewer 9 of the
electrode 16b. The cell 11a can be formed by embossing the
electrode 16b. Thereafter, the electrode 16b can be attached to the
supporting sheet 12. Also, after attaching the electrode 16b to the
supporting sheet 12, the supporting sheet 12 may be embossed. On
the side of the viewer 9 of the cell 11a, the electrode 16a is
attached.
[0207] The projector 31 is disposed on the side of the supporting
sheet 12. The projection light 4 enters from the supporting sheet
12. Thereafter, the projection light 4 passes through the electrode
16b. Then, the projection light 4 passes through the cell 11a.
Then, the projection light 4 is emitted from the electrode 16a.
[0208] The dispersion liquid 14 may be enclosed in the cell 11a.
Also, as shown in the twelfth embodiment, the charged substance 1C
may be enclosed in the cell 11a. Also, the light diffusion particle
15 and the charged substance 1C may be encapsulated in the
microcapsule 11. Also, as shown in the thirteenth embodiment, the
inclusion liquid 1G may be enclosed in the cell 11a. The light
diffusion particle 15 and the inclusion liquid 1G may be
encapsulated in the microcapsule 11.
[0209] The cell 11a can be readily formed even when the surface of
the supporting sheet 12 is a curved surface. Also, the dispersion
liquid 16 can move only in the cell 11a. Therefore, occurrence of
concentration unevenness of the light diffusion particle 15 on the
screen is suppressed. Also, occurrence of concentration unevenness
of the charged substance 1C on the screen is suppressed. Also,
occurrence of concentration unevenness of the inclusion liquid 1G
on the screen is suppressed.
[0210] The energy required for movement of the light diffusion
particle 15 is suppressed and distribution unevenness of the light
diffusion particle 15 over the entire screen is suppressed, so that
a screen with reduced scintillation recognizable by the viewer 9
can be obtained. Also, the energy required for movement of the
charged substance 1C is suppressed, and distribution unevenness of
the charged substance 1C over the entire screen is suppressed, so
that a screen with reduced scintillation recognizable by the viewer
9 can be obtained. Also, the energy required for movement of the
inclusion liquid 1G is suppressed, and distribution unevenness of
the inclusion liquid 1G over the entire screen is suppressed, so
that a screen with reduced scintillation recognizable by the viewer
9 can be obtained.
Eighteenth Embodiment
[0211] Each of the aforementioned embodiments relates to a screen
of a projection type display device. The present eighteenth
embodiment relates to reduction in scintillation of a liquid
crystal display device. FIG. 48 is a configuration diagram showing
a configuration in which the light diffusion plate 1 is attached to
a liquid crystal panel 200. The light diffusion plate 1 is attached
on the side of the viewer 9 of the liquid crystal panel 200.
Between the electrode 16a and the electrode 16b, the supporting
sheet 12 and the microcapsule 11 are disposed. The constituent that
is identical to the constituent shown in FIG. 8 is denoted by the
same reference numeral, and the description thereof will be
omitted.
[0212] The liquid crystal panel 200 itself does not have a function
of emitting light. Therefore, the liquid crystal panel 200 requires
a backlight unit 201. Recently, laser comes into use as a light
source for improving image quality. A laser light source is
employed in the backlight unit 201. A liquid display device 202
using the laser light source faces a problem of deterioration in
image quality due to the scintillation.
[0213] A laser beam is emitted from the backside of the liquid
crystal panel 200. The liquid crystal panel 200 is able to display
a video image by controlling transmission characteristics of the
laser beam for each pixel. However, the laser beam having passed
through the liquid crystal panel 200 interferes on the side of the
viewer 9. As a result, scintillation occurs. By providing the light
diffusion plate 1 in front of the liquid crystal panel 200, a
temporal change in a scattered wave of laser beam occurs. As a
result, the scintillation is reduced.
[0214] As shown in FIG. 49, the liquid crystal panel 200 may be
disposed on the side of the viewer 9 of the light diffusion plate
1. In this case, a temporal change in a scattered wave of the laser
beam has occurred before the laser beam enters the liquid crystal
panel 200. Therefore, by the configuration shown in FIG. 49, a
similar effect to that of the configuration shown in FIG. 48 is
obtained.
[0215] The dispersion liquid 14 may be encapsulated in the
microcapsule 11. Also, as shown in the twelfth embodiment, the
charged substance 1C may be encapsulated in the microcapsule 11.
Also, the light diffusion particle 15 and the charged substance 1C
may be encapsulated in the microcapsule 11. Also, as shown in the
thirteenth embodiment, the inclusion liquid 1G may be encapsulated
in the microcapsule 11. The light diffusion particle 15 and the
inclusion liquid 1G may be encapsulated in the microcapsule 11.
[0216] As shown in FIG. 50, in place of the light diffusion plate 1
having the light diffusion layer 10 made up of the microcapsule 11,
the light diffusion layer 10 made up of the cell 11a may be
employed. As described in FIG. 49, the liquid crystal panel 200 may
be disposed on the side of the viewer 9 of the light diffusion
plate 1.
[0217] The dispersion liquid 14 may be enclosed in the cell 11a.
Also, as described in the twelfth embodiment, the charged substance
1C may be enclosed in the cell 11a. Also, the light diffusion
particle 15 and the charged substance 1C may be enclosed in the
cell 11a. Also, as shown in the thirteenth embodiment, the
inclusion liquid 1G may be enclosed in the cell 11a. Also, the
light diffusion particle 15 and the inclusion liquid 1G may be
enclosed in the cell 11a.
[0218] In FIG. 50, the electrode 16a is formed on the bottom face
on the side of the supporting sheet of the cell 11a. The electrodes
16a of the cells 11a are connected with each other by their parts.
The cells 11a are electrically connected with each other.
[0219] The energy required for movement of the light diffusion
particle 15 is suppressed and distribution unevenness of the light
diffusion particle 15 over the entire display surface of the liquid
crystal panel 200 is suppressed, so that the liquid display device
202 with reduced scintillation recognizable by the viewer 9 can be
obtained. Also, the energy required for movement of the charged
substance 1C is suppressed and distribution unevenness of the
charged substance 1C over the entire display surface of the liquid
crystal panel 200 is suppressed, so that the liquid display device
202 with reduced scintillation recognizable by the viewer 9 can be
obtained. Also, the energy required for movement of the inclusion
liquid 1G is suppressed and distribution unevenness of the
inclusion liquid 1G over the entire display surface of the liquid
crystal panel 200 is suppressed, so that the liquid display device
202 with reduced scintillation recognizable by the viewer 9 can be
obtained.
Nineteenth Embodiment
[0220] Each of the aforementioned embodiments has a configuration
wherein the light diffusion plate 1 is disposed near the display
surface. The present nineteenth embodiment is a configuration
wherein the light diffusion plate 1 is disposed in an optical
system. FIG. 51 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration
of the display device 3 in which the light diffusion plate 1 is
disposed in an optical system. The constituent that is identical to
the constituent shown in FIG. 1 is denoted by the same reference
numeral, and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0221] When a laser light source is used in the display device 3, a
patchy pattern with high contrast is formed on the screen. The
scintillation of this type is also called speckle noise. This
scintillation deteriorates the image quality of the display
image.
[0222] For removing the scintillation of this type, a method of
rotating ground glass in an optical system is used. In the present
nineteenth embodiment, the light diffusion plate 1 is used in place
of ground glass. The viewer 9 watches images for a long time.
Therefore, it is necessary to rotate the ground glass for a long
time. The light diffusion plate 1 does not use a motor. Therefore,
reliability can be improved by using the light diffusion plate
1.
[0223] The scintillation of this type is reduced by a temporal
change in a scattered wave of the laser beam. By rotation of the
ground glass, a temporal change in a scattered wave occurs. The
light diffusion plate 1 can generate a temporal change in a
scattered wave. The light diffusion plate 1 is disposed between the
projector 31 and the mirror part 32. In this position, the light
flux is thinned. Therefore, it is possible to use the light
diffusion plate 1 of a small size. The reliability of the display
device 3 is improved by using the light diffusion plate 1 in place
of rotating the ground glass. Moreover, by using the light
diffusion plate 1, the scintillation of this type can be
reduced.
[0224] In each of the aforementioned embodiments, "parallel",
"perpendicular" and the like terms that indicate the positional
relationship between components or a shape of a component are used
occasionally. Also, phrasing with a term such as "approximately" or
"substantially", for example, approximately half, approximately
spherical, approximately 90 degrees and approximately parallel, is
used occasionally. These indicate that a range taking tolerance in
production and dispersion in assembly and the like into account are
included. Therefore, even when "approximately" is not described in
the claims, the range taking tolerance in production and dispersion
in assembly and the like into account is included. Also, when
"approximately" is described in claim, it indicates that the range
taking tolerance in production and dispersion in assembly and the
like into account is included.
EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0225] 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 161, 162, 163, 170 screen
[0226] 200 liquid crystal panel [0227] 201 backlight unit [0228]
202 liquid crystal display device [0229] 1, 2 light diffusion plate
[0230] 10 light diffusion layer [0231] 11 microcapsule [0232] 11a
cell [0233] 12, 26 supporting sheet [0234] 13 capsule membrane
[0235] 14 dispersion liquid [0236] 15, 22 light diffusion particle
[0237] 16 electrode [0238] 17 power source [0239] 18 Fresnel lens
[0240] 19 light diffusion part [0241] 1A binder material [0242] 1B
dispersion medium [0243] 1C charged substance [0244] 1D hydrophilic
part [0245] 1E lipophilic part [0246] 1F micelle [0247] 1G, 1G1,
1G2, 1G3, 1G4 inclusion liquid [0248] 21 supporting sheet part
[0249] 23 lenticular lens [0250] 24 black stripe [0251] 25
connecting part [0252] 3 display device [0253] 31 projector [0254]
32 mirror part [0255] 4 projection light [0256] 5 light ray [0257]
9 viewer [0258] A effective area [0259] B, C time [0260] St start
position [0261] Ed end position [0262] M drawing region [0263] L
flyback period [0264] E electric field [0265] n.sub.B, n.sub.P
refractive index
* * * * *